How much can an O/O car hauler make?

Discussion in 'Car Hauler and Auto Carrier Trucking Forum' started by ae31, May 13, 2012.

  1. ae31

    ae31 Bobtail Member

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    Nov 3, 2011
    miami,fl
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    Thanks LBZ i know what you are saying. You make a lot of sense. SHO-TYME. Thats what I thought when he was telling me but I never new him for a liar.He also has just purchased his second truck so it makes you think. The reason that i'm on here is to get some good and honest advice so I can make an informed decision. I want to thank you for your honest opinion . What is realistic to make clean a month. Also what is that insurance budget going to be say for a 9 car haul. Next time I talk to him I want to be as informed as possible. Thanks.
     
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  3. DanS

    DanS Light Load Member

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    Apr 14, 2012
    edgewater florida
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    Yes Insurance and all that stuff is higher priced... And you wont make much just pulling 3 cars at a time.. You can make some good money with the right accounts and a 9/10 car hauler keep it loaded both ways with minimal drop off points you will do real good.. I hear of alot of guys that have 5/6 stops idn how they make money doing that.. 99.9% of the time I have one drop spot and one pickup location... Im not a O/O but I do know how the company I work for makes money... And they make alot and me pay me very well..
     
    Viceroy1 and ae31 Thank this.
  4. ae31

    ae31 Bobtail Member

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    Nov 3, 2011
    miami,fl
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    Dan S Thank you. I know people stretch the truth. Like I said I don't know him to be a liar. I just want to make sure about what he is saying before i invest in a truck. How much do u think will be a start up costs for a truck, trailer and ins. Thanks again for your reply.
     
  5. DanS

    DanS Light Load Member

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    Apr 14, 2012
    edgewater florida
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    well your start up cost I dont know what are company pays for insurance just call around until you find the best quote.. as far as truck and trailer look around there are some good buys out there... I know a guy that bout a 10/11 car hauler and only payed 16k for it i was shocked in was in great shape...
     
  6. ae31

    ae31 Bobtail Member

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    Nov 3, 2011
    miami,fl
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    Thanks for your reply. I have been looking. What year truck ? How much should,I expect to pay thanks.
     
  7. 379TillIDie

    379TillIDie Bobtail Member

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    Jun 8, 2012
    USA
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    I am surprised no one has fully answered your questions but that might be because you did not get specific with anything. Like if you have a CDL already or not, Do you have 18 wheeler experience etc.. For example if you do not have any car hauling experience you most likely will not get insurance coverage I repeat no Insurance company will cover you that I know of at least CA west coast O/operators. You need at least 2 year experience to get your foot in the door with insurance company's and that will cost you an arm and a leg around $15k to $20k a year first few years if your lucky on the left coast at least. You will have to be very experienced not to cause any damages or that insurance coverage will be gone and your out of business. Unless you are extremely good at running a business (phone calls paperwork & tax time etc...) along with driving the truck without any damages you will be out of business within a year or so. True car hauling is a specialty profession and should be respected as such just like hauling livestock or oversized etc... A good car hauler is one who is in it for the long haul not for the quick money. You can clear more than $10,000 a month when you learn the ropes as an owner operator but in the same breath you could clip a bridge taking out the top deck and be out of the industry tomorrow. I personally would not advise anyone that has no experience in a profession to put all their eggs into that profession it's like being your own lawyer at your murder trial yeah people are doing it but I would advise against it. I don't want to take the wind out of your sail but I suggest you research all aspects before committing to the industry. From what I am guessing you and hopefully a wife will be the Business owner, the driver, maintenance mechanic, Office manager, tax prepairer etc.. because if you do it any other way with one truck the money is not really there for the headache involved especially the 10k plus a month you want to clear. As for buying a used car hauler I would advise against it unless you have or know someone with extensive knowledge on how to look over a unit.
    Keep in mind a motor installed could run close to 20k an eaton axle close to $5k installed welding and repairs on the trailer could run upwards of $3-5k hydraulics will nickel and dime you to death at the worst times. You might get a steal of a deal but a good maintained starter unit 1998-2004 will sell as quick as it is listed north of $35k. Sometimes it pays to pay more rather than find out your 1st trip out the motor needs overhauling. Getting good Contracts as a start up car hauler company can be as hard as trying out for the LA Lakers good luck with that. You may have to start out with POV and greedy brokers on the dispatch websites picking up and dropping 9-10 different stops and making no money if you do not organize trips well unless your friend kicks down some work your way. POV is a heart attack waiting to happen with ungrateful customers who want you to pick up the unit in their culdesac where you can't fit because they were promised door to door service now they want a discount on their already cut rate freight and you have 8 more to pick up. Just my 2 cents take it how you want to take it and best of luck with what ever you decide but don't think for one minute it is going to be a cake walk.
     
  8. Crazyhorse202

    Crazyhorse202 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 5, 2012
    Mi
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  9. Crazyhorse202

    Crazyhorse202 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 5, 2012
    Mi
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    16K Hmmmmmmmmmm hens tooth
     
  10. 379TillIDie

    379TillIDie Bobtail Member

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    Jun 8, 2012
    USA
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    Yeah 16k for a Pete or comparable(there is no Comparable :yes2557:) in the year range above is a nightmare waiting to happen. If your lucky and gamble on a unit out their for that price I'm guessing it's one of two things. The previous owner was a crack head an needed 16k worth of crack and you may have got lucky but I don't gamble. Or the unit has serious flaws in the tractor or trailer that he did not disclose or know about and hopes you do not catch it when your looking it over. There are so many issues that you have to look over and test (fine tooth comb) before dropping your money down or you will be paying $ for it later in my opinion and later comes sooner than you think. Head Rack, Motor, Transmission, Entire steering axle, Drive axles, Wheels, Tires, entire air Brake system , frame, 5th wheel, electrical system, chains/straps, entire hydraulics system hoses,fittings and rams, entire trailer frame structural integrity, Skids just to name a few. Because any flaws in any of those systems may cost you in DOT fines and fees if they catch it or worst may leave you in the ditch with a load under you. There is an old saying if you start rite you will finish rite. In this business you pay cash for your mistakes so the more knowledge you have and apply the less painful it will be. In todays trucking business climate with fines fees and tax's around every corner I would not advise anyone to be an Owner Operator without years of experience on both the driver side and the paperwork side. Even if you do your homework and fly straight there is no guarantee you will make it with the Big Dogs. After all some Company drivers make more than some Owner Operators and only deal with half the BS and stress. So if your not going to bring your A Game to it everyday you may be better off driving for a company something to think hard about. There is no better feeling than Owner Operator but you have to earn it and deal with every aspect of it day to day just to maintain that title. Anyone who wants to run with the Big Dogs can't be pissing like a Puppy.
     
    Viceroy1 and AirForce Vet Thank this.
  11. DanS

    DanS Light Load Member

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    Apr 14, 2012
    edgewater florida
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    Yup he paid 16k he got it from some big mega car hauling place that went out biz from Detroit I think this was about 4 yrs ago
     
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